In a shock move, Middlesbrough chairman Steve Gibson gave Gareth Southgate his marching orders last night just hours after a 2-0 home win over Derby County which took Middlesbrough to fourth in the Coca-Cola Championship and within a point of the Championship summit.

The timing of the shock decision was a little peculiar in that Gibson stood by Southgate during the bad times when Middlesbrough were relegated from the Premier League last season. So why get rid of him when they’re on the up? 64% of Guardian readers believe he shouldn’t have been sacked and there’s more to it.

They certainly didn’t waste any time finding a replacement for Southgate. Bookies are reporting that they’re receiving big money all day on Gordon Strachan to be Southgate’s replacement as Middlesbrough manager. Strachan is currently @ 1/3 with Coral.
After Strachan the next in line is Alan Irvine @ 14/1 with Bet365 and joint second Alan Curbishley @14/1 also with Bet365.

Speaking moments after making what Steve Gibson described as “The most difficult decision I’ve made in my football life” he stated that he felt it was time for a change and that he hoped Gareth would gain another opportunity somewhere else very soon. Perhaps he already had Strachan lined up?